Archaeology on display
public is invited to look at Victoria’s biggest ever archaeology digs courtesy of the Metro Tunnel Project.
Viewing windows have been built into the hoarding on Swanston St near the Young and Jackson Hotel so that passers-by can see the historic digs underway. More than half a million artefacts, some dating back more than 150 years to the early days of European settlement in Melbourne, have been found so far.
A collection of the most intriguing discoveries will be on display at the Metro Tunnel visitor centre, located at 125-133 Swanston St, opposite Melbourne Town Hall. The exhibition starts during the September school holidays. Opening hours are from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on weekends.
Town Hall Station update
You may have noticed the image of a giant tunnel boring machine on the corner of Swanston St and St Kilda Rd. This is part of site establishment works at Federation Square.
The project has obtained all relevant approvals from Heritage Victoria to complete these works, which include the installation of temporary fencing, soil testing and building two disability ramps.
The project has applied for a heritage permit, and once granted, the second stage of works are scheduled to commence later this year.
Works will include erecting 3.5 metre hoarding around the worksite, demolition of the Melbourne Visitor Centre and construction of an acoustic shed to allow 24 hour works at the site to build an entrance to Town Hall Station.
Piling at City Square continues and at the Flinders Quarter site, near Young and Jackson Hotel, archaeological investigations are well underway with more than half a million artefacts found.
State Library Station update
Westbound lanes on Franklin Street between Swanston and Stewart streets will be closed for up to two years as the project establishes a construction support area. It will help facilitate future piling and excavation works at the site. The demolition of three properties in Little La Trobe Street will begin in October and is expected to take up to 12 weeks before archaeological investigations will start.
For more information about works and other news, visit metrotunnel.vic.gov.au, connect on social media or call 1800 105 105 (24 hours per day).